Search Engine Optimization Specialists

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Utah is seeking an SEO Specialist to drive organic search visibility and technical site performance across the university’s web ecosystem. You will partner with the Digital Team and report to the Associate Director of Digital Research and Operations, focusing on strategy, analytics, and content optimization.

The role blends technical SEO execution with advocacy for accessibility and governance, requiring collaboration with content, research, and web teams to elevate university

Qualifications

• 1 year of higher education can substitute for 1 year of related work experience, per Equivalency Statement.
• Bachelor’s degree with 6 years of related work experience or Master’s with 4 years of related work experience is required for SEO Specialist III.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate daily with the Associate Director of Digital Research and Operations to set performance benchmarks.
• Analyze and report on organic search results, landing page performance, and traffic.
• Conduct regular technical site audits and fix crawlability, indexability, speed, mobile usability, and structured data issues.
• Perform keyword research and optimize metadata, headings, copy, and internal links.
• Track keyword rankings, backlink profiles, and conversions using GA4 and Search Console.
• Design and run SEO experiments to improve CTR and engagement.
• Create branded data visualizations and dashboards (Looker Studio, Tableau) following brand standards.
• Ensure on-page SEO aligns with WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility and core web vitals.

Skills

Technical SEO

On-page SEO

Analytics

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/CS/IS

Tools

Ahrefs

SEMrush

Google Search Console

GA4

Looker Studio

Tableau

WordPress

Yoast SEO

HTML/CSS

JavaScript

Job description

Job Details

Employment Type: Full Time

Standard Hours per Week: 40

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Salary: $68,000 - $78,000

Job Summary

As an SEO Specialist, you will play a pivotal role on the University of Utah Marketing and Communication’s Digital Team, serving as the subject matter expert driving organic search visibility, technical site performance, and content discoverability across our university’s web ecosystem. Reporting directly to the Associate Director of Digital Research and Operations, you will work in direct, daily partnership on strategic search initiatives—aligning search engine optimization with broader marketing, web accessibility, and digital governance goals.

This role requires a balance of technical execution, SEO strategy and analytical insight. We are looking for a collaborative, proactive professional with strong hands‑on SEO experience who thrives on solving technical web challenges and elevating university digital experiences.

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

Responsibilities

• Strategic Collaboration: Work in close, daily partnership with the Associate Director of Digital Research and Operations and the digital research team across all core SEO initiatives, establishing search performance benchmarks and aligning optimization efforts with university digital goals.
• Digital Campaign & SEO Synergy Reporting: Partner with content strategy and research teams to analyze and report on organic search results, landing page performance, and organic traffic impact driven by high-traffic digital advertising campaigns.
• Technical SEO & Site Hygiene: Conduct regular technical site audits across large-scale university web properties to identify and resolve issues related to crawlability, indexability, site speed, mobile usability, canonicalization, site architecture, and structured data.
• Keyword & Content Optimization: Perform comprehensive keyword research and intent analysis to guide content creators, web managers, and research teams. Optimize metadata, headings, on-page copy, and internal linking structures to maximize organic visibility.
• Search Analytics & Optimization: Track, analyze, and report on organic search performance, keyword rankings, backlink profiles, and conversion funnels using Google Analytics (GA4), Search Console, and enterprise SEO software.
• A/B Testing & Search Experimentation: Design and execute SEO experiments, testing title tags, meta descriptions, and structural layout changes to improve click‑through rates (CTR) and user engagement.
• Branded Dashboard Development: Collaborate directly with the research team to design, build, and maintain branded, campus‑partner‑facing dashboards in Looker Studio and Tableau, ensuring data visualizations follow university brand standards and UI/UX best practices.
• SEO & Accessibility Integration: Collaborate with web and content teams to ensure on‑page SEO strategies align seamlessly with digital accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1 Level AA) and core web vitals.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Search Engine Optimization Specialist, III: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Computer Science, Information Design, Information Systems, or a related field
• SEO Experience: Experience in technical and on‑page search engine optimization, with a proven track record of managing enterprise or multi‑domain web environments. Higher education or agency experience is strongly preferred.

Technical Stack:

• SEO Tools: Expertise in SEO and GEO tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, Google Search Console, and Google Trends.
• Analytics, BI & Campaign Tracking: Hands‑on experience with Google Analytics (GA4), Webmaster Tools, and tracking SEO impact for high‑traffic paid digital media campaigns.
• Dashboard Design & Branding: Experience creating branded data visualizations and dashboards (Looker Studio, Tableau) with strong design principles and brand alignment.
• CMS & Web Standards: Proficiency with WordPress (including SEO plugins like Yoast), HTML/CSS, basic JavaScript understanding, and structured data implementation.
• Accessibility & Operations: Working knowledge of digital accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and project management platforms.

Key Traits We’re Looking For:

• Fast & Careful: You pay close attention to details while responding quickly to user needs.
• Curious: You love to learn and are always looking for ways to refine your craft.
• Proactive: You take charge. You don’t wait for problems to happen; you actively hunt for solutions.
• Resilient: You keep your cool and handle high‑pressure situations with patience and a calm attitude.
• Collaborative: You are a true team player who understands that we’re stronger when we work together.
• Humble: You’re open to listening, receiving constructive feedback, and changing course with ease.

Type

Benefited Staff

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.

To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/

This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security‑related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.